Retail notebook: Chele’s, CNBC business survey results

By Margaret Fisher / Staff writer

Published: Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 07:49 PM.

States received points based on their rankings in each metric, which were then separated into 10 broad categories. The categories are weighted based on how frequently they are cited as selling points in state economic development marketing materials.

Points were scored for each category, including cost of doing business, infrastructure and transportation, technology and innovation, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living, among those previously mentioned.

North Carolina scored 1,569 overall out of 2,500 possible points.

Georgia took the top spot, with Rhode Island receiving the least number of points.

The state’s individual income tax rate is now 5.8 percent, while the corporate tax rate sits at 6 percent. Unemployment in North Carolina has been falling and in May was 6.4 percent. The largest employer is Carolinas Healthcare System, with the largest industries being non-durable manufacturing and financial services.

The complete ranking and an in-depth look is available on cnbc.com.

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.

“It’s a good atmosphere,” Chele said, “and we have the best soul food around.”

They are planning a grand opening from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on July 11 with free hot dogs, food samples and gift certificates.

Chele’s is currently open 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. New hours will begin July 5 when the cafe will be closed on Saturdays and open 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-7 on Fridays. For information, call 252-747-2626.

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North Carolina ranks No. 5 among America’s Top States for Business, according to CNBC First in Business Worldwide.

The state is up from No. 12 last year.

This year, it ranks No. 4 for both workforce and economy, but No. 33 for education and No. 34 for quality of life.

To determine the rankings, each state was scored — using publicly available data — on 56 different measures of competitiveness.

States received points based on their rankings in each metric, which were then separated into 10 broad categories. The categories are weighted based on how frequently they are cited as selling points in state economic development marketing materials.

Points were scored for each category, including cost of doing business, infrastructure and transportation, technology and innovation, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living, among those previously mentioned.

North Carolina scored 1,569 overall out of 2,500 possible points.

Georgia took the top spot, with Rhode Island receiving the least number of points.

The state’s individual income tax rate is now 5.8 percent, while the corporate tax rate sits at 6 percent. Unemployment in North Carolina has been falling and in May was 6.4 percent. The largest employer is Carolinas Healthcare System, with the largest industries being non-durable manufacturing and financial services.

The complete ranking and an in-depth look is available on cnbc.com.

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.